Montana Field Guide

The shell is small to medium, to about 15 mm diameter but usually less than 12 mm, and to 14 mm in height but usually less than 9 mm (ratio of height to diameter 0.67 – 0.81); heliciform with up to 5 1/2 whorls, high-spired in profile, umbilicus narrow and deep, aperture oval, periphery rounded. Shell opaque and chalky, color is brown to fleshy, sometimes chocolate brown on the base (dead sun-bleached shells whitish), with a series of reddish-brown spiral bands, two on the upper surface, a prominent band near the periphery on the lower surface, up to four thinner bands (sometimes none) on the lower surface. Smaller shells may have a brownish cuticle that is lost in larger individuals. Surface is irregularly wrinkled with weak to moderate spiral impressed lines. Suture is deeply impressed on the last whorl (Hendricks 2012, Burke 2013). Internal anatomy is described by Pilsbry (1939).

In the field, best identified based upon a combination of size, narrow umbilicus, location and habitat. Small size, near beehive-shape, and narrow umbilicus distinguish this species from other Oreohelix in Montana. Among the small Oreohelix, O. alpina is found at or above treeline in the western third of the state, O. strigosa berryi has a larger umbilicus and a flatter profile.

Limestone and sandstone talus, adjacent moist meadows and creek bottoms. Tree canopy species where present include scattered cottonwood, aspen, willow, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, juniper and mountain mahogany. Live animals present mostly under rocks and in duff or soil accumulations under rocks, sun-bleached shells may be found on the surface (Beetle 1987, Hendricks 2012).

Hermaphroditic (Pilsbry 1939).

The known sites are on private or tribal timberlands, but poorly-defined distribution and habitat needs within Montana makes effective management problematic. None of these sites have special protection. As with many land mollusks, access to moisture is essential, even in arid locations, so favorable conditions include refugia that maintain high humidity and moderate temperatures for at least part of the year. Removal of forest and shrub canopy is likely detrimental.

Habitat occupied by Oreohelix pygmaea (low-elevation slopes of open juniper, Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir) may be threatened by logging, grazing, weed control, highway development, home development, and fire. The impact of fire retardants on this and other terrestrial mollusks in not known. Little is known about this species, including its susceptibility to disturbance.